RV Propane Savvy

LP fuel is a camper’s finest pal. It delivers us with warmth on a chilly day, hot drinking water to shower with, cold food in the fridge and the functionality to prepare dinner on the highway the identical way you do when you’re at home. When we require it it really is there, instantly giving us with all of the facilities and creature comforts we are accustomed to. We you should not genuinely even consider about it, it truly is taken for granted that when you drive that button, just about like magic it responds to your calls for.

But what is LP gas? Really should we be worried of it, or just continue on to take it for granted? Liquid propane, far more typically acknowledged as LP gasoline will get its identify simply because it is stored in a liquid point out. When LP fuel is made it is compressed and saved underneath strain, which results in it to liquefy. When the strain is produced the liquid turns again into a vapor. LP gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless. To aid you in detecting a leak an odorant is additional to it when it is made. If you are not common with the odor of LP fuel, the future time you go to a experienced fill station inquire the attendant to enable you smell it. Most people explain the odor as becoming very similar to rotten eggs, or as acquiring a garlic odor.

We’ll get back again to a lot more attributes of LP gas in a minute, but 1st let’s handle the 2nd dilemma. Must you be fearful of it? You really should respect LP gas, for the reason that all gases have perilous traits. If you test for fuel leaks using an open up flame you are specific to be in hazard. I guess what I am making an attempt to say is that LP fuel is just one of the most secure of petroleum goods if it is managed correctly. More situations than not, when there is an incident involving LP gasoline it is because of to carelessness or improper handling.

LP fuel is portable, harmless when taken care of properly and it is really really economical, so it only will make feeling that it is utilized in RVs. I stated a minute back that LP fuel is compressed in a liquid point out and saved in containers. For the reason that of the amount of force concerned the containers are created underneath very stringent codes. There are two basic styles of containers, Office of Transportation (DOT), and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The DOT containers, extra frequently termed cylinders are the upright type that you see on Pop Up’s, travel trailers, or your BBQ grill. The ASME cylinders are referred to as tanks and are mounted horizontally like the variety you would see on a motor household.

No matter of the style, all LP fuel containers are only filled to 80 per cent of their potential to allow for for enlargement when the temperature all over the container rises. LP gasoline cylinders are geared up with Overfill Security Equipment or OPD valves to reduce them from getting overfilled.

LP fuel can be measured in weight or in gallons. You may well have listened to somebody say that the gas cylinders on their vacation trailer are 30 lb. cylinders, or they may possibly say their cylinders hold 7 gallons apiece. 1 gallon of LP fuel weighs 4.26 lbs. The usual BBQ grill takes advantage of a 20 lb. cylinder, so at 80 per cent full it would maintain 3.75 gallons of LP fuel.

When you open up the valve to the gasoline cylinder the liquid gas turns again into a vapor and goes into a two phase regulator. In the initial stage the force coming out of the cylinder is lessened considerably shut to the good burning selection for the LP gasoline appliances. The next phase lessens it to the demanded 11 inches of drinking water column required to operate the appliances thoroughly.

There is also an LP gasoline leak detector within the RV that will established off an alarm to notify you if there is a gas leak. It is really typically situated close to ground level due to the fact LP gas is heavier than air and it will settle to the flooring. If you ever scent LP gasoline when you’re camping, or if the LP gasoline leak detector goes off you could have a leak someplace in the system. If this happens you should:

*Extinguish any open flames, pilot lights and do not smoke, or contact electrical switches.

*Evacuate the RV and switch off the most important gasoline supply valve.
Go away the door open up and do not return to the location right until the odor clears.

*Have the technique checked out by a competent technician right before using it once more.

*Fake alarms can be triggered by hair spray, perfume, cleaning solvents and lower battery voltage.

Let us consider a second and focus on some dos and don’ts about LP gas.

*Do try to remember to turn the main gasoline provide on when you might be prepared to use a gasoline equipment.

*Do have the procedure checked if you suspect a leak, disturb the fuel process, or at the very least as soon as yearly.

*Do consider the proper measures to properly transport, retail outlet and use LP gasoline cylinders.

*Do overview all cautions and warnings on the LP fuel program and appliances in your owner’s manual.

*Do not use an open up flame to check out for leaks.

*Do not use the selection burners or oven as a source of warmth it is not vented outdoors and depleted oxygen can bring about asphyxiation.

*Do not go to a gas station to refuel unless you extinguish any open up flames and, or pilot lights and convert LP gasoline appliances off.

*Do not transportation LP fuel cylinders within a car.

*Do not be afraid of LP gas, but do respect it and take care of it appropriately.

Delighted Tenting!

Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Instruction 101